It’s a boy!

Whistler’s New Year’s baby arrives

Parents David and Melissa Perizzolo with son Derek, the first baby of the New Year in the Sea to Sky corridor, photo by Vivian Moreau

Derek Robert Perizzolo remains unperturbed about being Sea to
Sky’s first baby of the New Year.

“He’s an angel,” said his mother, Melissa Perizzolo from the
family’s Whistler home. “He doesn’t cry — he just likes to eat, sleep,
and poo.”

Perizzolo’s laidback attitude was evident when Melissa had to
be induced at Lions Gate Hospital on New Year’s Eve, her water having broke two
days prior. And even after contractions started, Derek, who was born at 5:08
p.m. Jan. 1, was in no hurry to compete with another baby, a girl, that was
born only 20 minutes before him at Lions Gate Hospital. Perizzolo said hospital
staff kept the competition for who would be the first News Year’s baby
friendly, with the two mothers in adjacent rooms.

“My doctor was like, ‘What are they doing?’ and nurses were
coming back and giving us and the other doctor updates.”

Perizzolo is originally from Pennsylvania and moved to Whistler
last August with her husband, David Perizzolo, a dentist who joined Aarm Dental
Group. Derek was the first baby born of 2007 for the Sea to Sky region.

Melissa Perizzolo said that although she chatted with the other
mom as they walked the halls before delivery she hasn’t had a chance to speak
with her since.